Song Lam Nghe An's defense is losing its identity.

The defense once created fear

Since the official formation of the Vietnamese professional football league, Song Lam Nghe An has had ups and downs, even crises, but has always maintained its own unique identity. Among them, formidable opponents in the V-League have always respected the defense of the Nghe team.

Looking back to the 2000s, central defenders like Huu Thang and Van Luu always stepped onto the field with bravery, determination and alertness, making many famous strikers at that time afraid. Because of creating that prestige, Song Lam Nghe An was never afraid even when facing many strong teams. And this was also the foundation that helped the Vinh home team create success during this period.

Ending the golden age of Huu Thang and Van Luu, Song Lam Nghe An continued to produce another leader in the defense, Huy Hoang. He is considered the successor of Huu Thang. The central defender born in 1981 has a fiery playing style, with his own trademark tackles, thereby helping Song Lam Nghe An's defense always stand firm against strong opponents in the V-League.

Then in recent years, fans have continued to witness another central defender, Que Ngoc Hai. The player born in 1993 inherited the qualities of Song Lam Nghe An, always showing determination and passion in every match.

It can be seen that, in any period, Song Lam Nghe An always builds a solid, steel-like defense to support the front line.

Loss of identity

However, looking at this year's season, we can clearly see the weakness and fragility in Song Lam Nghe An's defense. The Nghe An team, with its strategy of rejuvenating the squad, has forced the young central defenders to wear shirts that are too big for their ability and experience.

Looking closely at the defense of Song Lam Nghe An, we cannot see any player with enough qualities to be a leader in the back line. Young central defenders like Tran Nam Hai, Le Van Thanh, Phan Van Thanh... although always showing determination on the field, still lack the bravery and tenacity of their predecessors. They do not have the qualities of a central defender with the brand of Nghe An.

Looking at the match with Hoang Anh Gia Lai, Song Lam Nghe An's defenders revealed many weaknesses in their ability to compete and mark people. That made it easy for the opponent to hold the ball to deploy their play. A series of coordination situations in the middle, then passing the ball to Hoang Anh Gia Lai's two arms were done quite easily, without any intervention of enough steel to slow down the opponent.

Even in the match against Nam Dinh, the weakness and looseness of Song Lam Nghe An's defense was even more evident. It is known that the defending champion has a very strong attack, but if the Nghe players played strongly and stuck to their man fiercely, they would not have conceded so many goals so easily.

It must be affirmed that at this time, Song Lam Nghe An's defense line is losing its identity as it once had in the past. It will be very difficult for the Vinh home team to regain this in the near future. And perhaps, to overcome the current difficult time, Song Lam Nghe An can only rely on the "meat to the fish sauce" talent of coach Pham Anh Tuan and his colleagues.

Hopefully in the next match, the coaching staff of Song Lam Nghe An will find a solution to the problem of human resources in the defense, thereby helping the home team get positive results.